Making plans to go for a cycle this May Bank Holiday? Let me give you 5 loops you can cycle/walk in the Burren Lowlands. Support my fundraiser for #CycleAgainstSuicide #ShareTheLoadOnTheRoad I am also planning a community cycle from Woodford to Flagmount – if you are interested in this, sign up here to get updates. Join the Gort Cycle Trails Facebook group here.
Mary’s Walk Peterswell
Mary’s Walk Peterswell – 5 Kms — Peterswell is approximately 10 Kms from Gort and has a number of walking loops and cycle trails( OK, the higher up you go, the more muscle power you need) I mapped Mary’s walk a while back! Mary’s Walk does have a few hills, so if you are cycling, I recommend you do the cycle clockwise ( I walk some of it where the hills are too taxing), but very doable… Beautiful country views on very quiet roads. Instructions here.
Gort’s Mini-Greenway
Gort’s Mini -Greenway – 5 kms ( one way)— This is a hidden treasure that very few people know about – a very safe way to cycle or walk into Coole Park from Gort! Walk or cycle into Coole Park and reward yourself with your favourite tea/coffee, delicious sandwiches and cake at Coole Park Tea-Rooms ( I’ll have one of their rocky roads any day – tell them I sent you) Instructions here.
Sean Bingham Mausoleum Ardrahan
Sean Bingham Mausoleum Adrahan – 10 km — Also this is a little treasure I’d recommend you check out… It’s a gentle cycle, starting from Labane ( or you can start from Ardrahan). Bring a picnic to eat at the picnic table and enjoy the views. Instructions here. If you are looking for a longer cycle, check out the Adrahan Drumharsna Castle and Old Mile Stones Bikeride here.
Thoor Ballylee to Gort RiverWalk Via Kiltartan Gregory Museum
Join my Facebook Group Gort Cycling Trails and let me know if you cycled or walked any of the trails, what you thought about them, and if there are other cycle trails that should be mapped in the #burrenlowlands
For a full list of #SafeCycleTrails and maps I have mapped so far, click here. I have done a lot of cycling in the last few weeks, and will be adding a number of new loops shortly!
Gort Cycle Trails raising funds for #CycleAgainstSuicide
I am currently raising funds for #CycleAgainstSuicide to raise 500 Euros to train someone in the community to become a buddy. The Community buddy programme trains and equips participants with the practical, hands-on skills and knowledge they need to deliver support to those in mental health distress in their local communities. Donations can be made via Idonate , Facebook and Instagram or simply click on the below image !
Looking for a looped cycle in the Burren Lowlands?
Itching to get onto your bike? Let me show you a looped cycle trail I recently discovered from Thoor Ballylee to the Gort River Walk( under development)
Join my Facebook Group Gort Cycling Trails and let me know if you cycled this trail, what you thought about it, and if there are other cycle trails that should be mapped in the #burrenlowlands
The total distance of this cycle is just under 20 km. If you are only cycling from Thoor Ballylee to Gort, it’s 4 km. I would allow up to half a day to really take your time! Have a picnic at Thoor Ballylee, have a rest at the River Walk, Walk around Gort( and visit Kiltartan Gregory Museum when it reopens.)Things to bring: snacks, breakfast or lunch, water, charged mobile and don’t forget to apply suntan lotion and wear high viz jackets. Switch on your bike lights if the weather is not so nice. If you are cycling on your own, let someone know where you are heading.
Thoor Ballylee’s History
To learn more about Thoor Ballylee and the link with the Irish poet Yeats and the dramatist Lady Gregory, click on this link. *****Please note – Thoor Ballylee is currently closed due to COVID-19 Check their Website/Facebook page for the latest updates!****
I should probably say re-discovered as this trail is an age-old trail that people used to travel on by foot and bike from Gort to Ballyanneene, Rinerush, and possible also Peterswell, where I live.
Route description from Thoor Ballylee to the Gort River Walk
I recommend you start from Thoor Ballylee (or anywhere on the Skehanagh side) to have the least amount of hills. If on the other side you are looking for a heart-pumping exercise, do the cycle anti-clockwise:) You’ll definitely sleep well 🙂
Check out this Google Map showing you the looped cycle.
From Skehanagh to Thoor Ballylee
Intro to the Cycle from Skehanagh to Thoor Ballylee to the Gort River Walk
The first video brings you from Skehanagh to Thoor Ballylee. There is one hill to climb before you get to the top of the Road- I had to get off the bike as I was also holding my camera( note to self – must find a way to mount my phone). What goes up, has to come down, so you’ll see in the latter part the downhill cycle to Thoor Ballylee – bliss:)
Once you have arrived at the castle, lock up your bike(s) in the cark park and go for a stroll to the watermill to the right.
Thoor Ballylee form the Pic Nic Area
Explore the watermill at Thoor Ballylee
https://youtu.be/LzkOfOtEgZY
Water Mill at Thoor Ballylee
There are big plans to restore the watermill. Why not take a seat in the picnic area in front of Thoor Ballylee and enjoy breakfast or lunch on the picnic tables or the grass. It’s quite magical.
Thoor Ballylee to Gort River Walk Cycle trail
Next video and pictures show most of the journey from Thoor Ballylee to the end of the road.
Cycle from Thoor Ballylee to the top of the Gort River Walk
The cycle trail from Thoor Ballylee to the Gort River Walk is very straightforward. Leaving Thoor Ballylee to your right, cycle all the way till you come to a crossroads where you take a left.
Country views on the Cycle from Thoor Ballylee to the Gort River Walk
Country views on the Cycle from Thoor Ballylee to the Gort River Walk
Country views on the Cycle from Thoor Ballylee to the Gort River Walk
At some point you’ll see a fork to the right. If you look very closely, there is an existing cycle trail called “Finding Yeats”. This cycle trail was mapped by the Burrenlowlands from Gort, sponsored by Sullivans Hotel on the square in Gort. I’ll have to write another blog article about that cycle.
Take a left to go to the Gort River Walk
Cycle for approximately 1 km and you’ll see a yellow bungalow to your left ( It’s a downhill road so you are picking up some speed). Across from that yellow bungalow you’ll see a narrow road/boreen to your right. If you are a local , this is the top of the Pound Road. This road ultimately brings you to the back of Gort.
Railway Bridge
Once you take a right, it’s a straight road that brings you to a railway bridge.
Railway Bridge
Once you cross the railway bridge, it’s a downhill cycle, and the road surface changes to a loose stone surface.
View over the railway track
You’ll see a ruin of a farmhouse to your right, and as the road takes a slight bend to the left you will have arrived at the top of Gort River Walk.
As you cycle down there is a gate, sometimes it’s open, sometimes it’s closed. If it’s closed, make sure when you open it to get through, you close it off.
If you look to your right, you may be lucky to see a swan family. When I was there, there was a swan family there with cygnets.
Swans with their Cygnets
If you look a little bit further down to your right, you’ll see the remains of a bridge. DO NOT ATTEMPT to go there or cross the bridge as it is not safe. The Gort River Walk has big plans to replace this bridge with a new bridge, follow their Facebook page to find out more.
Lavally Bridge
Lavallysheen Children’s burial ground
Look to your left, and you will see the Lavallysheen Children’s burial ground. To learn more about the Burial ground, check out this article in Guaire Magazine ( page 64. Since the article was published a group of volunteers have done an amazing job to restore and tidy up the burial ground. It has also enabled relatives to honour and pay tribute to their deceased family members. It’s a truly a sacred place.
Continue your journey, leaving the Lavallysheen burial ground to your left, the river to your right. The road surface is a bit bumpy but ok to cycle. It’s only towards the end of the cycle, there are bigger/rougher stones, and it may be better to dismount for a short while. You will now have a beautiful view of the River to your right. ( There are way more and better images, I’ll write another post dedicated to the Gort River Walk)
View over the Gort River
Gort River Walk
As I mentioned earlier, there is currently a project in progress by local volunteers to establish a Gort River Walk, find out more about the history here. The Pound Road, once a dumping ground and no go area, has been transformed into a beautiful walking area to be enjoyed by all. Follow Gort River Walk on Facebook and their recent fundraiser – please support if you can.
Flower Vale House
You’ll now see barriers, you can go around a little place to the right.
Gates and passage to the right
Continuing on to your right, you will see the remains of Flowervale House – home of the once mill owners. This article tells you all about the history of the house and the (tragic) story of how the mill was flattened to the ground. It is also the back of Aldi in Gort and the start of the Gort River Walk.( There are in effect 2 entries, one via the Pound Road and one via the back of Aldi.)
As you continue your journey, you will see the Gort Railway Station to your left and as you continue you will arrive in the town of Gort. Check out a blogpost I wrote about the Gort Railway Station last year, when it was 150 years since it first opened.
Gort Railway Station
This may be the end of your trip . Pop into Centra for ice cream or continue on the loop and take a right at the roundabout to head back OR you can take a left and go onto Gort’s mini -Greenway into Coole Park I documented a while back.
Icecream at Centra in Gort
Kiltartan Gregory Museum
If you are heading back, it’s an easy ride, passing entry into Coole Park. Further down is a nice downhill cycle at Kiltartan. You’ll see a red brick building onto your left, which is the Kiltartan Gregory Museum. It’s currently closed , due to COVID-19. Keep an eye on their Facebook Page to find out when they re-open.
Next you will pass the railway crossing at Kiltartan, and as you cycle you’ll see a sign for Quinn’s hardware store being 5 kms from that point.
This is the back of the Quinn Sign:) pointing to the Kiltartan Gregory Museum
Eileen Quinn Memorial plaque
Across from the sign, you’ll see a farmhouse, with a remembrance stone to Eileen Quinn, who was murdered there on the 1st of November 1920. I strongly recommend you listen to this recently produced documentary about the life of Eileen Quinn and what happened there on the 1st of November. Humbling is an understatement
Eileen Quinn Memorial plaque
It’s been downhill for most of the way, so it’s time for a bit of climb across from Tannian’s forge. There is a bit of bend in the road, and I always cross the road before the hill, as visibility is limited once you are on the climb.
Once you have caught your breath, you’ll see Cummins kitchens to your right and signs for Thoor Ballylee. Take a right, enjoy the downhill cycle or take a left and do an extra loop via Shehanagh.
Back to where I started my cycle
The road bends to the right, and this is where I started the cycle.
The road to your left brings you into Skehanagh, where there are few other cycles you can do, I’ll have to write another blog post about the Skehanagh cycle trails.
As it is summertime, the floods we had earlier in the year, have receded. Learn more about the South Galway floods here.
Hope you enjoyed this (long) article- look forward to hear if it has inspired you enough to do the Cycle from Thoor Ballylee to the Gort River Walk!
Join my Facebook Group Gort Cycling Trails and let me know if you cycled this trail, what you thought, and if there are other cycle trails that should be mapped in the #burrenlowlands
It’s been a busy time in Ireland storm wise, as we have had storm Abigail, Barney, Clodagh and then the latest one is just gone, storm Desmond! There was terrible flooding in South Galway in 2015, resulting in nearby Thoor Ballylee getting badly flooded.
The storm was fierce, with very strong gale force and the rain was relentless. As the storm developed, the footage was being shared via Social Media.
The first video I can across was this one, of two guys going for a swim in Salthill. Absolutely scary, so please never ever repeat this, it’s just too dangerous!!!
Theresa Mannion reporting from Salthill
The weather only got worse, and that’s when Theresa Manion was reporting, also from Salthill.
Below is the “original” version!
I think the “rap” version is quite funny!
Closer to home in South Galway, I have blogged a few times about Thoor Ballylee, unfortunately got flooded again. I say again, as it got flooded in 2009. Go check out a more recent blog article I wrote about a loop cycled – you can see the area then when it isn’t flooded:)
Another video highlights the floodings both in Gort, Thoor Ballylee and Craughwell.
Severe flooding in Craughwell and at Yeats Tower (Thoor Ballylee) in Gort today (Video: Joe O’Shaughnessy, Connacht Tribune)
Let’s hope the water recedes soon, and the next storm will be kinder to us..
Katleen
PS. Check out this link to find out what other storm names are planned for the rest of this winter. Let’s hope we don’t get to the end of the list.
I admit, it’s been a while I dressed up, but I had great fun sourcing my Victorian clothes for the Picnic at The Kiltartan Gregory Museum in Co. Galway earlier today.
As I mentioned in my previous post , I wanted to go to the Picnic at Kiltartan Gregory Museum, and as they wanted people to dress up in Victorian clothes, I called into our local second hand store called Carecharityshop, who happened to have an across-the-board 1 Euro sale, so I went in to see if I could pick up a few pieces!
Carecharityshop the Square Gort
I found a hat, coat and matching shoes that I think might have been from that era and Carie (who is the part-time manager of the shop) gave me an outfit she wore for the St- Patrick’s parade, so I was all set!
Joe and Bridget May Orford at the picnic at Kiltartan
I took my friend’s kids from the Dollytub along along to the picnic. (Take a look at her blog, I have been pestering her to write on her blog, and she’s finally doing it!!)Rueben didn’t want to be in the picture, but in the end he did show up (he’s the head popping up behind the wall!) Alexander insisted to wear his communion suit, hey, I guess it’s great to see he’s getting some wear out of it!
Poetry reading at Kiltartan Gregory MusuemCheck out the ladies to the left!
I then dropped off Alex to a birthday party, and made my way to the opening of Thoor Ballylee!! Yohoo!! We went to the auction which was fab, so I couldn’t wait to be at the official opening.
It was packed at the auction and I remember parking in a nearby field, this time it was much more packed and the field was full(!) so I ended up parking rather close to a stone wall.
Full Car park at Thoor Ballylee
We arrived just in time to see Yeats himself arrive on his horse( aka Colm Farrel, one of the local auctioneers), and he read ” Wandering Aengus” whilst sitting on the horse. As you can see we were in the front row! Luckily the horse behaved:)
Yeats, aka Colm Farrell arrived on horse to read “Wandering Angus”
Wandering Aengus, By William Butler Yeats
I WENT out to the hazel wood,
Because a fire was in my head,
And cut and peeled a hazel wand,
And hooked a berry to a thread;
And when white moths were on the wing,
And moth-like stars were flickering out,
I dropped the berry in a stream
And caught a little silver trout.
When I had laid it on the floor
I went to blow the fire aflame,
But something rustled on the floor,
And some one called me by my name:
It had become a glimmering girl
With apple blossom in her hair
Who called me by my name and ran
And faded through the brightening air.
Though I am old with wandering
Through hollow lands and hilly lands.
I will find out where she has gone,
And kiss her lips and take her hands;
And walk among long dappled grass,
And pluck till time and times are done
The silver apples of the moon,
The golden apples of the sun.
“I have spread my dreams under your feet.
Tread softly because you tread on my dreams.”
― W.B. Yeats
The speech of Joseph Hassett, who donated a 31 ooo Euros to help the reopening of Thoor Ballylee referred to how Yeats was present, referring to the empty seat he(Yeats) was sitting on. But also how your children and grandchildren can visit Thoor Ballylee, which is a beautiful building where Yeats wrote many of his poems!
And then it was time to pick up Alex from his birthday party.
This weekend there will be hive of activity around the 150th anniversary of the birth of William Butler Yeats. I was at the park during the weekend, and sat on a bench, overlooking the scenery, it was absolutely beautiful!
The below tree, better known as the autograph tree, is located in Coole Park, where the poet spent a lot of time with Lady Gregory and many other famous people that were at the base of the then “literature revival“.
Autograph Tree, Coole Park Walled Garden Co. Galway
It’s called autograph tree, as when the friends of Lady Gregory visited, they carved in their name on the tree. At this stage it’s hard to make out the names, so the above display which is at the base of the tree makes it just that little bit easier!
Kiltartan Gregory Cultural Society is hosting a picnic in the Millennium Park at Kiltartan Gregory Museum to celebrate Yeats’ birthday on June 13th. Bring your choice of picnic, enjoy a recital by Coole Music Ensemble, poetry reading by local school children, face painting for the younger generation and a Trad session with Gaillimh Theas Comhaltas.
‘ Mr Yeats ‘ is on the guest list. Come in period costume. Time. 12.30 to 2.30 pm.
And after that, I am heading to the official opening of Thoor Ballylee.
The Yeats Thoor Ballylee Society invites you to the re- opening of Thoor Ballylee on the occasion of W.B. Yeats 150th birthday.
With special guests:
Senator Healy Eames, Chair of Yeats Thoor Ballylee Society, Jimmy Deenihan, TD, Minister for Diaspora Affairs, Joseph Hassett, Yeats Scholar and Thoor Ballylee Benefactor
Niall De Burca, Internationally acclaimed story teller will perform at the event
Followed by Community BBQ
So my next quest is, where I am going to find “period” clothing as seen below!! Help!!
I am just back from a great event which was held at Thoor Ballylee, which is located (almost) around the corner from where I live.
The event was organized by the Yeats Thoor Ballylee Society and consisted of an auction that started at the rooftop of the castle, and continued inside. We were also treated to some traditional music, performed by Coole Music.
Check out my new blog article about the auction at Thoor Ballylee yesterday, we had great fun! Below some fragment of the music played by Coole Music!http://www.workinglivingtravellinginireland.com/2015/06/thoor-ballylee-auction-castle-to-be-reopenend-13th-of-june-2015.html
Posted by Workinglivingtravelinginireland on Monday, 1 June 2015
It’s been a long time I have been inside the castle, as it was badly flooded in 2009 and a lot of damage was done, and has been closed ever since. The castle ( or Thoor in Irish) is very central in the life of Yeats and his family, as he bought the castle in 1916-1917 and lived there with his family from 1921 to 1929. You can read more detail about Thoor Ballylee here.
The castle then fell into disrepair, and was reopened on Yeats 100th birthday, 20th of June 1965.
50 years later, thanks to the Yeats Thoor Ballylee Society, Thoor Ballylee is being reinvented and today’s fundraiser will go a long way towards the reopening later in June!
There were many items for auction , and a last minute submission of a letter & book by Maud Gonne fetched an amazing 5200 Euros. It was a nail-biting auction, and the items were very close to go to Dublin when a local couple from Salthill put in the winning bid! There was roar of applause and the buyers shed a tear of relief, as they wanted to keep these historic items in Galway!
There was a stand outside with yummie burgers and hotdogs. The local youngsters kept the tea and coffee flowing. They had great fun!
The next event is taking place on the 13th of June, starting with a picnic at Kiltartan Museum and then the official re opening of Thoor Ballylee.
If you are interested to become a friend of Thoor Ballylee, or join the society, please follow this link.
Really happy we went and supported this worthwhile community event!
Katleen
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